Shubley wins pro title, Ward amateur

AMHERST, N.S. - If anything Matt Shubley was consistent shooting identical rounds of 71 to claim the Amherst Open Golf Tournament on Wednesday with a two-round 142 – five strokes ahead of his nearest competitors.

“It’s a nice way to get my first pro win,” the Oshawa, Ont. resident said following the annual tournament that’s the highlight of the summer at the Amherst Golf Club. “I had a good day out there, the course was great. I couldn’t ask for better conditions.”

Former Amherst club pro Steve Toombs and Josh Landine of Ashburn shot identical 147s to finish second while Craig Taylor of the Links of Montague was fourth at 149 and Kevin Dugas, a perennial Amherst Open champion, was fifth at 150.

Shubley said the course was very challenging, especially when the wind picked up – as normal – during the afternoon.

“It got a little windy out there at times, but it was good to battle through it,” he said. “I haven’t played in wind like that in some time.”

Brodie Ward of Andersons Creek in Stanley Bridge, P.E.I. won the amateur championship, putting together rounds of 70 and 73 for a 143 to edge Amherst club champion Mark Gould and Matt Cormier, who both shot 146. Cormier ended up taking second net honours in the first division and finished up strong on Number 18, using a three-wood off the tee and a driver to post up just off the green. He chipped in for the eagle.

“My game was good both days, I putted well today, made a bunch of par saves and a few birdies too,” said Ward. “When it’s windy it’s important to putt well. The biggest thing is knowing where the wind is coming from and having a good short game.”

Craig Hollet of Grandview had third gross and Bruce Tomie of Northumberland in Pugwash was fourth gross. Paul Coulson of Truro, an Amherst native and former open champ, had fifth gross in the first division and Austin McBurnie of Brookfield was sixth.

Low net honours went to Gary Carter Jr, John Mills of Northumberland was third low net, Mitchell Campbell of Oakfield was fourth low net, Gary Carter Sr. was fifth low net and Darrell Kline of Ashburn was sixth low net.

Jeremy Jacob of Pine Needles had low gross honours in the second division, Rodger Sears of Petitcodiac was third, Bob Milner of Amherst was second, Derreck Acton was fourth, Steve Wood was fifth and Liam Davis sixth.

Matt Brophy won low net honours in the second division, Jim McNutt of Springhill was second, Terry Bastarache was third, Ted Mills was fourth, Luc LeBlanc of Pine Needles was fifth and Carson Thompson sixth.

In the third division, Peter McCabe had low gross honours, Kody Wood was second, Myles Walsh of Granite Springs was third, Mark Boudreau of Country Meadows was fourth, Fred Blenkhorn was fifth and Ralph Bastarashe was sixth.